Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002352/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI)
The plans put forward by the Government and monopoly groups with regard to carcinogenic waste incineration are causing intense concern among the people of Western Macedonia. The announcements of PPC S.A. – in the presence of the Prime Minister – regarding its intention to build a waste ‘energy recovery’ unit in the lignite yard of the Ptolemaida 5 lignite power plant which will receive 288 000 tonnes of rubbish from all over Western and Central Macedonia as well as from Thessaly, Epirus and Corfu, are a case in point.
The New Democracy Government and PPC S.A. are engaged in a sordid propaganda campaign for the unit that will purportedly use anti-pollution technology and be environmentally friendly, advertising corresponding plants in Sweden and Denmark, which however have been the subject of specific complaints. For example, Denmark’s Society of Engineers has complained about CopenHill in Copenhagen in relation to water contamination in the adjacent port and the uncontrolled import of waste for incineration from non-EU countries.
In view of the above:
- 1.What is the Commission’s position on the urgent request of residents and bodies of Ptolemaida – and of Western Macedonia as a whole – to stop all plans to promote carcinogenic waste incineration immediately?
- 2.What is the Commission’s position on the fact that the ‘green’ strategy and energy plans within the framework of the so-called circular economy and delignitisation are demonstrably very seriously affecting the health, life and rights of the people, as well as the environment itself, and are sacrificing them on the altar of the profitability of business groups?
Submitted: 11.6.2025